Encyclopedia of Television

The Museum of Broadcast Communications
The Flip Wilson Show was the first successful network variety series with an African-American star. In its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings placed it as America's second most-watched show. Flip Wilson based his storytelling humor on his background in black clubs, but adapted easily to a television audience. The show's format dispensed with much of the clutter of previous variety programs and focused on the star and his guests.

In the Peanut Gallery with Mystery Science Theater 3000: Essays on Film, Fandom, Technology and the Culture of Riffing

The ability to superimpose critical or humorous comments on an existing performance seems to be a recent development made possible by modern technology. Certainly the casual observer of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 and its spin-offs would see a similarity to earlier TV entertainments like the old horror movies presented on local TV by acerbic hosts in campy horror settings. But it is possible to dig a bit deeper and find occasional comedic presentations that wouldn’t sound out of place being enacted by Joel or Mike, and the ‘Bots.
This chapter will attempt to define the elements of riffing that set it apart from other types of literary or dramatic lampoons. Then, some examples of performance that fall under this definition will be offered for consideration. Through examples from the years before recorded performance, I hope to be able to make it possible to bring up more obscure, but no less enlightening examples.

Encyclopedia of Television

The Museum of Broadcast Communications
Mark Goodson and Bill Todman were among television's most successful producers of game shows. They refined celebrity panel quizzes with What's My Line and I've Got a Secret, and created games that lasted for years. Some, like The Price is Right, became even more popular in revived versions. Many of their shows have been adapted for production in television systems outside the United States.

Encyclopedia of Television

The Museum of Broadcast Communications
The premiere of Spitting Image opened with a puppet caricature of Israel's prime minister Menachem Begin wearing a magician's outfit. With a flourish, he produced a dove of peace from his top hat, then announced, "For my first trick . . ."--and wrung its neck.

Encyclopedia of Television

The Museum of Broadcast Communications
In his various executive positions Duncan Dickie Ebersol has contributed several innovations to the NBC television network. He shepherded Saturday Night Live onto the air, then returned as producer to "rescue" the show in the early 1980s.

Finding the Force of the Star Wars Franchise Fans, Merchandise, and Critics

That The Phantom Menace (1999) disappointed Star Wars fans is a cultural commonplace. Yet the critical failure of the first prequel trilogy film has been belied by the movie’s actual box-office performance.…
How did the vocal Star Wars fans engage the issue of the apparent decline of their beloved franchise? Here I examine three forms of creative public expression that reflect their dissatisfactions. …

ChicagoNow

I took yet another little stroll out to the Beer Bistro after work on June 6. My last visit there was last August, to be among the first to try the new Hopothesis IPA. And once again I’m headed there to meet the brewer of a new beer, making its world-wide debut. Big Shoulders has... Read more »

ChicagoNow

Last July this column marked the return of Baderbräu, the beer which, along with Goose island and the Weinkeller, launched the Chicago craft beer scene in 1988. The following year it became the first Chicago craft beer to be bottled for retail. Robert Sama, a fan of the Czech-style Pilsener, bought the brand when he... Read more »

ChicagoNow

I was having so much fun sampling at talking beer last Saturday, that it's only now that I realized I had been to my first film premiere. A fourth floor loft studio on North Racine was packed full for the debut of "FOBAB," a documentary shot at Chicago's tenth annual Festival of Barrel Aged Beer. It was a short film, to be sure, and the producers did not discuss what would happen to it next, but the crowd was very appreciative, cheering on-screen appearances of John Laffler (ex-of Goose Island's Barrel program, now a partner in the forthcoming Off Color Brewing), Randy Mosher (5 Rabbit) and Pete Crowley (Haymarket Pub & Brewing), among the many "Kahunae" of barrel-aged beers...